Why?

2011 has started off as a year with loss, challenges and frustrations. I think we have all asked the question: Why? Why does bad/sad things happen to people we love? Or even people we don't know but feel compassion for?

While sitting in church last Sunday our paster talked about why bad things happen. This particular sermon struck a nerve with me. With losses I have experienced in my life, specifically the miscarriage we had before having Alex, people told us "it was God's will" or "it was in God's plan." What I discovered is that is not entirely true, and as much as you think it is a comfort to say those things, it really is not comforting at all.

The overall message was that God is not sitting in Heaven selecting people and making bad things happen. God loves His children and what I learned on Sunday made me feel so comforted. The Grace of God is that He makes Himself available when His children are hurting. He comforts us through hugs from friends and family, food that is made with love or a simple card sent to someone during a time of crisis or pain. He gives us the strength and determination to power through.

So what I am saying is this: God does not let bad things happen. He lifts us up when bad things do happen.